US major ports' September retail imports hit 2.37M TEU, third-highest on record
According to a report by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates released on November 9, container imports at major US ports for retailers reached 2.37 million TEU in September 2026, up 3.4% from August and 12.6% from a year earlier — the third-highest level since tracking began. The longer-than-usual peak season is expected to ease gradually toward year-end, though strike concerns remain on the West Coast. It is a useful signal for businesses shipping to the US or sourcing from it.
Key points
- September 2026: 2.37M TEU (+3.4% month on month, +12.6% year on year), behind only May 2022 (2.40M) and July 2025 (2.39M)
- NRF forecast: October 2.26M TEU (+9.1% y/y), November 2.05M (+1.2%), December 2.03M (+1.3%); full-year 2026 at 26M TEU (+2%)
- The labor contract for port security guards at Los Angeles and Long Beach has been extended to November 20 while talks continue with federal mediation
Background
NRF says volumes stayed high through a peak season that began in early spring and ran longer than usual, and some West Coast ports have seen rail-transfer waits and backlogs. It adds that most holiday goods have already arrived and retailers are working with supply-chain partners to keep goods moving.
On the labor side, the old contract for ILWU Local 26, which represents about 250 port security guards, expired in July 2025, and three short extensions have so far avoided a strike. Reportedly (Reuters, November 9), the employer group PMA warned that a guards' strike could disrupt terminals handling more than half of the cargo at the two ports.
What it means for shops
Exporters and cross-border sellers shipping to the US could see arrival delays depending on port congestion and how the talks after November 20 go. NRF expects volumes to fall in early 2027 (January -3%, February -0.5%, March -11.2%), so congestion should ease after the new year.
What shops should do
- If you have US-bound shipments, ask your forwarder about delay risk around late November and about alternative routings
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Summaries are written by Seiichi Studio based on the original releases. Always check the source for the exact details.